Jonathan, world leaders greet re-elected Obama

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday joined other World leaders to congratulate United States President Barack Obama who won re election. He defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said:“The president said he looked forward to the further strengthening of U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relations and the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, which was established during President Obama’s first term.

“He noted that both would serve as platform for the promotion of greater trade and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. as well as bilateral collaboration in other areas.’’

It described Obama’s victory “in an intensely fought presidential race as an endorsement by the good people of U.S. of his leadership’’ and for the good work he had done in the past four years “towards ending global economic depression and fostering global peace and security’’.

The statement said that Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union enjoyed very cordial and productive relations with the Obama Administration in his first term.

“President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to build on Nigeria’s and Africa’s developmental collaboration with the U.S. in the next four years.

“Jonathan wished Obama continued good health and God’s blessings and guidance as he prepares for his inauguration in January 2013 for a second term in office.’’

European Union (EU) President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the United States was a key strategic partner of the EU and the EU looks forward to continuing the close cooperation.

The EU leaders expected to further strengthen ties with the U.S. and to jointly address global challenges, such as security and the economy, during Obama’s second term.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Obama yesterday, congratulating him. He later called the US president, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who also congratulated Obama said “Canada and the United States enjoy one of the closest and most extensive relationships in the world.” He said he and and Obama “have worked on several important bilateral initiatives to generate jobs and growth in both our countries.

“I look forward to working with the Obama administration over the next four years to continue finding ways to increase trade and investment flows between our countries,” Harper said.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak have also sent messages congratulating Obama.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel cited her and Obama’s past “close and friendly cooperation” regarding the ongoing financial crisis, peacekeeping in Afghanistan and efforts to control Iran’s nuclear program in her message Wednesday.

“I look forward to continuing this (cooperation), so that both our countries can continue to work side-by-side to master the most important foreign and economic challenges that we face as friends and allies,” Merkel said.

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Obama, saying his victory would “once again reinforce our partnership to facilitate the return of economic growth in our countries, to fight unemployment, and to find solutions to crises that threaten us, notably in the Middle East.”

Hollande voiced belief that France and the United States would continue cooperation based on dialogue and mutual respect.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a diplomatic and trade visit to the Middle East, said he also looked forward to working with Obama.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her government was ready to cooperate with America.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered congratulations to Obama soon after his victory.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement in New York, said he looked forward to continuing a smooth working relationship with the Obama administration.

He also expressed hope that both sides would continue to work together on existing challenges.

“Many challenges lie ahead – from ending the bloodshed in Syria, to getting the Middle East peace process back on track, to promoting sustainable development and tackling the challenges posed by climate change. All will require strong multilateral cooperation.

“The Secretary-General and the United Nations will continue to count on the active engagement of the United States on these and other crucial issues as it strives to meet the hopes and expectations of people around the world, he said.”

India said it is looking forward to continuing engagement with Washington.

“India and the U.S. have developed extensive bilateral cooperation and partnership based on shared values based on belief in democracy, the rule of law and pluralism. We look forward to continuing to deepen and widen the engagement between India and the U.S. in the years ahead,” a statement from New Delhi, said.

In separate statements, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Obama’s victory will further cement Kenya-U.S. relations.

President Kibaki said Obama’s re-election was a re-affirmation of the confidence the American people have in his leadership skills.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kenya and on my own behalf I convey our congratulations to you, for your well deserved victory. I commend the American people for showing their confidence in your leadership,” Kibaki said.

China’s official media said on Wednesday that ties with the U.S. were uneven in President

Barack Obama’s first term and that mutual trust had “whittled down,’’.

It added that, his re-election would offer an opportunity to put the relationship back on track.

A commentary issued by state-run Xinhua news agency shortly after Obama’s election win seemed to indicate a sense of relief that continuity will be assured as Chinese leaders embark on their own transition of power.

But it acknowledged that sore issues remained between the world’s largest and second-largest economies.

“As the two countries have been ever more economically interwoven, a new U.S. government perhaps should start to learn how to build a more rational and constructive relationship with China,’’ Xinhua said.

“The new Obama administration perhaps should bear in mind that a stronger and more dynamic China-U.S. relationship, especially in trade, will not only provide U.S. investment with rich business opportunities, but also help to revive the sagging global economy.’’